You’re eating dinner at home when you feel something brush up against your leg. It’s your pup! And even though his dinner is sitting right there on the floor, he wants what you’re having, too. He can’t afford to miss out. His gigantic eyes and wagging tail make him difficult for you to ignore. We know our dogs can be tough to resist, so it’s essential to learn more about what dogs can and can’t eat.
The great news is that a lot of people-friendly foods are actually healthy for dogs, but the bad news is that the wrong food can make your dog extremely sick, or even worse.
At Lyka, we want you and your pup to be safe, well nourished, and happy. So, let’s talk about what dogs can and can’t eat!
Foods that are good for dogs
It turns out that lots of human food can actually be beneficial for our dogs. Yes, you and pupper can share tons of snacks and meals together! We know he’ll be happy to hear that.
1. Lean animal protein
While it’s true that too much protein can be bad for your dog, lean protein in appropriate amounts can be beneficial.
Consider fish, for example. Salmon, tuna, and sardines are packed with omega-3s, which are great for both you and your pup. You might even notice it’ll make their fur shinier!
Eggs are another great source of protein for your dog. They are very digestible, cheap, and super easy to integrate with other foods. So next time you have some scrambled eggs, you can “accidentally” drop a bit on the floor for pupper.
Other great sources of lean animal protein include chicken and turkey.
Which animal protein sources are NOT okay? High-sodium, extra fatty animal protein sources are not healthy for dogs, including bacon (sorry, pup!) ham, and many beef products.
2. Vegetables
Keep reading, because this doesn’t mean all vegetables.
High in Vitamin C and fibre, broccoli makes a nice treat once in a while. Be careful not to offer your dog too much, though—it can cause gastric upset.
Celery, which might be surprising because of the stringiness, is actually a great snack for pups. And, if your dog is known for having stinky breath, celery might help!
Cucumbers are a nutritious snack option. Aside from being full of water, they’re rich in Vitamins B1, C, and K, as well as magnesium and biotin (important for nail and hair health).
As a general rule of thumb, feed your dog fresh or fresh-frozen vegetables as opposed to canned. Canned vegetables can hide large amounts of sodium or other additives that aren’t good for your dog.
Other vegetables that are dog-friendly include green beans, peas, brussel sprouts, and of course, carrots (Tip: A whole carrot makes for a great distraction whenever you need!).
Which vegetables are NOT okay? Mushrooms, onions, and the green parts of tomato are all on the list of what dogs can’t eat as they can be toxic to your pup. This includes the powdered forms of these ingredients.
3. Fruits
Because of the sugar content, it’s important for your pup not to overdo fruit consumption. But there are many fruits that make for a nutritious snack!
Cantaloupe is a great example of a fruit that you should share sparingly with your dog. It is high in sugar compared to other fruits, but it also contains loads of healthy fiber and water.
Blueberries might be the perfect dog-training treat. These antioxidant-rich berries are healthy for you and your pup. See how skilled your dog is at catching them!
Mango chunks are also beneficial for dogs. Try them frozen in the summer months! This fruit is full of vitamins A, C, and E. Just remember to remove the peel and pit.
Just like with vegetables, only fresh fruit (or freshly frozen) should be fed to your pup to avoid unwanted sugar and additives.
Other dog-safe fruits, to be enjoyed in moderation, include peaches, pears, oranges, pineapple, bananas, and berries, like raspberries, cranberries, and strawberries.
Which fruits are NOT okay? Avocado, cherries, grapes, grapefruit, lemon, lime, and plums can all be dangerous for your dog.
Foods that are never OK for dogs
It can seem like dogs have invincible digestive systems sometimes, but there are many human foods that your pup just can’t eat. Here are several examples.
1. Chocolate and cocoa-based products
This one is pretty well-known among the dog-loving community, but there is still a lot of confusion surrounding this fact.
The chocolate rule of thumb: The higher the cocoa concentration, the more dangerous the product.
So, if your pup gets into a few squares of milk chocolate, he might have an upset stomach and uncomfortable bowel movements from the sugar, but he likely won’t experience any poisoning from the cocoa content.
But, replace that milk chocolate with baker’s chocolate, which has a very high cocoa content, and your dog could be in trouble.
2. Most dairy products
It’s best to avoid most dairy products when it comes to your pup, since many dogs experience gastric upset ranging from mild to severe. Just like us, our pups can live with lactose intolerance, too!
Be careful of high-lactose dairy products like whole milk, skim milk, ice cream, sour cream, and cottage cheese. These could cause your pup to get sick.
Low-lactose products are safer. These include cheddar cheese, Swiss cheese, and American cheese, to name a few.
3. Sugary products
Sure, your pup might enjoy a sugary treat as much as you do, but sugar is much more dangerous for him than it is for you.
Xylitol, a sweetener found in candy, toothpaste, and gum, among other foods, can be fatally toxic to dogs.
You know that unnecessary sugar is harmful in your diet, so don’t give it to your dog either!
Other foods you should never feed to your pup include coffee, alcohol, and highly processed foods.
If you’re just as concerned about your pupper’s nutrition as you are about your own, trust his diet to Lyka.
With Lyka, your pup’s diet is under control. Lyka incorporates all fresh ingredients that are beneficial for your dog’s health, without including any fillers or byproducts. Each Lyka recipe is vet-approved, so it contains the complete range of nutrients that your pup needs to thrive.
